Fence

ABSTRACT

A method for forming a fence includes forming first and second feet each having at least two extensions thereon, wherein at least three extensions are spaced apart and parallel to each other; forming a frame having first, second and third elongated posts, wherein the first elongated post is below the extensions projecting from the first and second feet, wherein the third elongated post is positioned above the first and second posts, and wherein the second support post is positioned between the first and third elongated posts; and forming a wire mesh on the frame and welded to the three elongated posts.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present inventions generally relate to fencing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditionally, fences have been used in residential and industrialsettings as a barrier for privacy and/or security. Fences typically havevertical fence posts, which have a bottom portion anchored to the groundand an upper portion that supports a panel which can be made of wovenmetal wires. Such woven wires can form a fabric defining a diamond(commonly known as “chain-link”) or other patterns. Other types of fencepanels are made from wires welded into a desired design. Metal couplersare used to attach the panels to the posts.

Long portions of such panels can be rolled for storage and transport.Because the such metal fabrics can be stored in rolls for extendedperiod of time, the metal may retain its curved shape when the fabric isunrolled. Thus, the fabric may become biased toward its rolled positionthereby making installation of the panels difficult.

Conventional fences have couplers that attach the panels to the fenceposts. For example, chain-link fences have metal couplers that attachthe chain-link fabric to the fence posts. The metal couplers aregenerally U-shaped and have ends that are bent to form a closed looparound a wire of the chain-link fabric. The ends of the coupler arecoupled to wires on either side of the fence post so that the fence postis between the U-shaped coupler and the chain-link fabric.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for forming a fence includes forming first andsecond feet each having at least two extensions thereon, wherein atleast three extensions are spaced apart and parallel to each other;forming a frame having first, second and third elongated posts, whereinthe first elongated post is below the extensions projecting from thefirst and second feet, wherein the third elongated post is positionedabove the first and second posts, and wherein the second support post ispositioned between the first and third elongated posts; and forming awire mesh on the frame and welded to the three elongated posts.

In a second aspect, a rollable fence with simplified field assembly withtwo feet and a frame on wheels is provided. The first and second feeteach having at least two extensions thereon, wherein at least threeextensions are spaced apart and parallel to each other. A frame isformed with first, second and third elongated posts defining the lengthof the frame, and fourth and fifth posts defining the width of theframe. The first elongated post is below the extensions projecting fromthe first and second feet, the third elongated post is positioned abovethe first and second posts, and the second support post is positionedbetween the first and third elongated posts. The fourth and fifth postsconnect the ends of the first, second and third posts to complete aquadrilateral shaped frame, which can be a square, rectangle, orrectilinear shaped frame. A wire mesh is then placed on the frame andwelded to the three elongated posts and the two shorter end posts.

In a third aspect, a fence includes first and second feet; a framesupported on one end by the first and second feet, the frame having amiddle support post running along one side of the frame, the framefurther having two U-shaped support structure centrally positioned oneach side of the support post, and a wire mesh positioned on the frame,the support post and the two U-shaped support structure, wherein thewire mesh is welded to the support post and the support structures orposts for strength.

In another aspect, a fence has first and second feet; a frame supportedon one end by the first and second feet, the frame having a middlesupport post running along one side of the frame, the frame furtherhaving an elongated oval shaped support structure surrounding aleaf-shaped support structure positioned on the support post, and a wiremesh positioned on the frame, the support post and the supportstructures, wherein the wire mesh is welded to the support post and thesupport structures for strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinventions will now be described with reference to the drawings ofpreferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limitthe inventions, and in which figures:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a fence.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a fence.

FIG. 1C is a rear view of the fence.

FIG. 1D is a left side view of the fence.

FIG. 1E is a right-side view of the fence.

FIG. 1F is a top view of the fence.

FIG. 1G is a bottom view of the fence.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second fence.

FIG. 2B is a front view of the second fence.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third fence.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the third fence.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the third fence.

FIG. 3D is a view of the support structure for the third fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake ofclarity, not necessarily shown to scale, and wherein like or similarelements may be designated by the same reference numeral through severalviews. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a fence; FIG. 1B is a front viewof a fence; FIG. 1C is a rear view of the fence; FIG. 1D is a left sideview of the fence; FIG. 1E is a right side view of the fence; FIG. 1F isa top view of the fence; and FIG. 1G is a bottom view of the fence. Ingeneral, the fence of FIGS. 1A-1G has:

-   -   first and second feet;    -   a frame supported on one end by the first and second feet, the        frame having a middle support post running along one side of the        frame, the frame further having two U-shaped posts centrally        positioned on each side of the support post, and    -   a wire mesh positioned on the frame, the support post and the        two U-shaped posts, wherein the wire mesh is welded to the        support post and the two U-shaped posts for strength.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame has generally rectangular outercross-section profile which defines a rectangular outer surface. Theframe has a middle support post that divides the frame into twogenerally rectangular inner cross-section profiles. Although notillustrated, the frame can be square or triangular. The cross section ofthe frame can be uniform or can vary along its longitudinal axis.

In one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment, the post 24 is constructedfrom steel with a thickness of about ⅛th of an inch. In otherembodiments, the steel can have other thicknesses. The post can also beconstructed from other types of metals and other materials with suitablecharacteristics such as plastics, wood, or composite materials. One ofordinary skill in the art can determine the appropriate combination ofmaterial type, thickness, and shape to achieve the desired resistance towind loads, or other forces, such as when the fencing system 20 is hitby an object.

The post assembly can be coated with materials such as paint, forexample, to match the post with other components of the fencing systemor other materials to inhibit corrosion. In some embodiments, the entirepost assembly is coated with material to inhibit rusting of the postassembly, especially the portion of the body within or near the ground.

The frame and posts support a plurality of diamond shaped wires that aregenerally evenly spaced along the length of the frame. In theillustrated embodiment, the wires are generally parallel and defined aplane. The wires can be made of a metal, plastic, or other similarmaterial. For example, in one embodiment the wires are made from steel.Additionally, the spacing of the pairs of wires can be arranged toprovide a unique aesthetic appearance. For example, the illustratedframe and the wires are colored and provides a unique aestheticappearance, in addition to the other advantages noted above.

In one embodiment, the wires can be treated to prolong the life of thewires. For example, the wires can be made of steel which is susceptibleto rust. The wires can be covered in paint, polyester, or the like toprevent rusting. In one embodiment, the foot is substantiallyrectangular or square, with two posts in parallel and three postsconnected thereto at even spacing therebetween at 90 degrees.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second fence while FIG. 2B is a frontview of the second fence. The left side view of the fence, the rightside view of the fence, the top view of the fence; and the bottom viewof the fence is similar to the views of FIGS. 1D-1G. In this embodiment,the fence of FIGS. 2A-2B has

-   -   first and second feet; and    -   a frame supported on one end by the first and second feet, the        frame having a middle support post running along one side of the        frame, the frame further having an elongated oval shaped support        structure surrounding a leaf-shaped support structure positioned        on the support post, and    -   a wire mesh positioned on the frame, the support post and the        support structures, wherein the wire mesh is welded to the        support post and the support structures for strength.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third fence; FIG. 3B is a front viewof the third fence; FIG. 3C is a top view of the third fence; and FIG.3D is a view of the support structure for the third fence. Collectively,the figures show first and second feet each having at least twoextensions thereon, wherein at least three extensions are spaced apartand parallel to each other. A frame is formed with first, second andthird elongated posts defining the length of the frame, and fourth andfifth posts defining the width of the frame. The first elongated post isbelow the extensions projecting from the first and second feet, thethird elongated post is positioned above the first and second posts, andthe second support post is positioned between the first and thirdelongated posts. The fourth and fifth posts connect the ends of thefirst, second and third posts to complete a quadrilateral shaped frame,which can be a square, rectangle, or rectilinear shaped frame. A wiremesh is then placed on the frame and welded to the three elongated postsand the two shorter end posts.

To form the fence, a method includes forming first and second feet eachhaving at least two extensions thereon, wherein at least threeextensions are spaced apart and parallel to each other; forming a framehaving first, second and third elongated posts, wherein the firstelongated post is below the extensions projecting from the first andsecond feet, wherein the third elongated post is positioned above thefirst and second posts, and wherein the second support post ispositioned between the first and third elongated posts; and forming awire mesh on the frame and welded to the three elongated posts.

In one embodiment, FIG. 4D shows use of pipes that are 1 inch and 1.25inch diameter. The first and second feet each having at least twoextensions about 10″ thereon, wherein at least three extensions arespaced apart and parallel to each other. One foot is a rectangular plateof 8″×2′1½″. Next in FIG. 4D is a rod of about 6′ 1.75″, with oneU-shaped end with a middle portion of 4 5/16″ and extending about 10″from one end. Next in FIG. 4D is a supporting rail with rail width ofabout 2.5″ and length of about 12′ 6″. Two 10″ posts extend from onerail end, and one 10″ post extend from the other end. A 12×6 ft frame isformed with first, second and third elongated posts defining the lengthof the frame, and fourth and fifth posts defining the width of the framewith a wire mesh placed on the frame and welded to the three elongatedposts and the two shorter end posts.

Those skilled in the art recognize that various other types of panelscan be used for the fencing system 20 For example, in one embodiment,the wires consists of generally evenly spaced horizontal and verticalwires. In other embodiments, the wires can be a mesh with non-orthogonalwires. Optionally, fasteners can be used to attach the vertical wires tothe horizontal wires instead of or in addition to welding. The fastenerscan be wire clips, wire brackets, plastic fasteners, and the like.

The fencing system can be coated with materials such as paint, plastic,or the like, for example, to inhibit corrosion of the system. In oneembodiment, the fencing system is coated with colored polyester. Some orall of the components of the fencing system can be galvanized to furtherinhibit corrosion. Of course, the galvanized components can be coatedwith materials, such as polyester. While particular forms of theinvention have been described, it will be apparent that variousmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention belimited, except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming a fence, comprising: formingfirst and second feet each having at least two extensions thereon,wherein at least three extensions are spaced apart and parallel to eachother; forming a frame having first, second and third elongated posts,wherein the first elongated post is below the extensions projecting fromthe first and second feet, wherein the third elongated post ispositioned above the first and second posts, and wherein the secondsupport post is positioned between the first and third elongated posts;and forming a wire mesh on the frame and welded to the three elongatedposts.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein two of the three parallelextensions are on one foot, comprising positioning a fourth extensionperpendicular to the three extensions.
 3. The method of claim 1,comprising mounting wheels on both ends of the frame.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, comprising placing the three extensions on a rail.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: placing the three extensions on a rail;mounting wheels on both ends of the frame; and aligning the wheels tomove over the rail.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein two of the threeparallel extensions are on one foot, comprising positioning a hooked baracross from the two extensions and perpendicular to the threeextensions.
 7. The method of claim 6, comprising forming a U-shaped endfor the hooked bar.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising forming twoU-shaped support structures on the frame.
 9. The method of claim 8,comprising forming the support structures on the second elongated post.10. The method of claim 1, comprising forming an elongated oval shapedsupport structure surrounding a leaf-shaped support structure positionedon the frame.
 11. The method of claim 10, comprising forming the supportstructures on the second elongated post.
 12. A fence, comprising: firstand second feet; and a frame supported on one end by the first andsecond feet, the frame having a middle support post running along oneside of the frame, the frame further having two U-shaped supportstructures on the support post, and a wire mesh positioned on the frame,the support post and the two U-shaped structures, wherein the wire meshis welded to the support post and the two U-shaped posts for strength.13. The fence of claim 12, wherein the first foot comprises threevertical bars coupled to three horizontal bars.
 14. The fence of claim12, comprising two extensions projecting from one of the vertical bars.15. The fence of claim 12, comprising wheels on both ends of the frame.16. A fence, comprising: first and second feet; and a frame supported onone end by the first and second feet, the frame having a middle supportpost running along one side of the frame, the frame further having anelongated oval shaped support structure surrounding a leaf-shapedsupport structure positioned on the support post, and a wire meshpositioned on the frame, the support post and the support structures,wherein the wire mesh is welded to the support post and the supportstructures for strength.
 17. The fence of claim 16, wherein the firstfoot comprises three vertical bars coupled to three horizontal bars. 18.The fence of claim 16, comprising two extensions projecting from one ofthe vertical bars.
 19. The fence of claim 16, comprising two extensionsprojecting from a central vertical bar.
 20. The fence of claim 1,comprising wheels on both ends of the frame.